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Tuber crops such as potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) can take up high levels of soil cadmium (Cd) which can be accumulated in their tubers. Thus, they can act as vehicles for transporting Cd to human body which can seriously threaten our health due to its high toxicity. In some circumstances, consumption of potato can contribute to more than 50 percent of human dietary Cd intake. In the present research two approaches were used to probe the potential for genetic improvement to contribute towards the goal of “minimisation of Cd level in potato” which is a novel food safety strategy: (1) assess the natural occurrence of variation in Cd accumulating potential among different potato cultivars already in cultivation in New Zealand, and (2) as a proof-of-concept study to generate potato plants with improved Cd resistance from a model experimental potato cultivar Iwa based on plant cell culture-selection (in vitro breeding approach). In the first approach, 10 New Zealand cultivars, namely Red Rascal (RR), Russet Burbank (RB), Fianna (F), Agria (A), Laura (L), Purple Heart (PH), Purple Passion (PP), Yukon Gold (YG), Moonlight (M) and Summer Delight (SD) were chosen randomly among over 30 cultivars grown for seed production in a block situated approximately one kilometre east of Lincoln, Canterbury within the 2011-2012 growing season. The tubers as well as the soil samples immediately surrounding the tubers were harvested and prepared for analytical analyses using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the soil samples were low in Cd level (0.06 mg kg-1), compared with the national soil average (0.35 mg kg-1), while the tubers varied widely in Cd content from 0.04 to 0.34 mg kg-1 among different cultivars. Therefore, SD with the lowest mean Cd content (0.05 mg kg-1) and an Enrichment Factor (EF) of just below one showed promise as a potential cadmium safe cultivar (CSC). There might be of concern if L, YG, PP with the highest mean Cd contents (0.18-0.21 mg kg-1) are grown in soils with higher Cd levels. Potato tissue culture required for the second approach based on somaclonal variation was established from the model experimental genotype Iwa in the lab. Leaf and internode explants were used as the starting plant materials to initiate two morphologically distinct calli (type-A and -B). Upon morphological assessment and analysis of antioxidative enzymes such as peroxidase, it was revealed that they exhibited differential Cd sensitivity. The more Cd-resistant callus type (type-B) was chosen for in vitro selection using 18 different Cd treatments varying in Cd exposure timing and duration. Following shoot and root regeneration from these calli, 18 different new Iwa plant lines were obtained. After at least three months of sub-culturing of all 18 plant lines on Cd-free media, in vitro screening of the lines was carried out to identify the most promising plant lines as far as Cd resistance was concerned. After two rounds of in vitro growth screening under a low and high Cd levels, two lines including line 9 (L9) and line 11 (L11) were found to exhibit enhanced Cd resistance compared to control Iwa plants. Further studies of L9 and L11 compared to control Iwa plants including biochemical analysis of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide, and transmission electron microscopic studies uncovered that L11 was more resistant to Cd than L9 and control plants. L11 plantlets had about 20 and 10 percent less H2O2 level than control and L9 plantlets, while antioxidative activities were four and two times higher in L11 compared with control and L9, respectively. Moreover, L11 seemed to exhibit a high rate of Cd compartmentalisation in the vacuoles and Cd binding to the cell walls in the roots, suggesting a potential to exclude or limit Cd translocation to other parts of the plant.

Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen (N) via symbiotic biological N fixation where part of the N fixed by legumes can be transferred to non-legumes. Identification of genotypic variability for N transfer among different legume cultivars enables improving N transfer to non-legumes under mixed stands. Six diverse red clover (RC) cultivars which include three diploid (AC Christie, Tapani and CRS15) and three tetraploid (Tempus, CRS18, CRS39) were selected to evaluate genotypic variability for N transfer. The above RC cultivars were characterized for root hair deformation, nodulation, growth, and N uptake under different levels of N supply during the growing period and for starter N supply under in vitro conditions. Significant genotypic differences among the RC cultivars were found for the above attributes where the cultivars responded differently to N applications during early growth. The above RC cultivars were also evaluated for root exudate N content in the form of NO3--N, NH4+-N and dissolved organic N (DON) during early growth under in vitro conditions. Significant genotypic differences were found for root exudate inorganic and organic N content. In general, root exudate DON content was greater than the inorganic N content and positively correlated with average nodule dry weight and shoot N concentration. The NH4+-N and NO3--N content in root exudates were positively correlated with active nodule number and root growth parameters respectively. Nitrogen fixation, N transfer ability and soil N profiles of the above six RC cultivars were evaluated with bluegrass under field conditions for two post establishment years. Significant genotypic differences were found for N fixation and transfer but, these attributes were not associated with the ploidy nature of the selected RC cultivars. Generally, N transfer increased as the season and production year advanced. Soil mineral N and potential N leaching were affected differently by the RC cultivars included in this study under mixed stands, thus showing genotypic differences for soil N cycling. The results of investigations in this thesis highlight the dynamics of N flow between legumes and companion grasses and may assist in developing management protocols and plant breeding strategies to identify genotypes with efficient N cycling profiles.

Student Number : 9704202D - MSc dissertation - School of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - Faculty of Science / Meningococcal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in children and young adults. Epidemics caused by Neisseria meningitidis continue to plague many countries on a global scale, none more so than countries of the African ‘meningitis belt’, where attack rates can reach up to 1000/100,000 population. It has been well recognized that most epidemic and endemic cases of meningococcal disease are caused by a limited number of genetically defined clonal groups. The objective of this molecular epidemiological study was to genotypically characterize strains of N. meningitidis collected in South Africa from July 1999 to July 2002. Characterization of meningococcal strains belonging to serogroup A, B, C, W135 and Y, by PFGE and MLST allowed us to determine the genetic population structure of N. meningitidis in South Africa, and thus identify the predominant clonal groups responsible for the majority of meningococcal disease in the country over this period. The results from the genotypic characterization revealed that the greatest majority of meningococcal disease in South Africa was caused by a strains belonging to only a few “hyperinvasive lineages”, most notably strains of the ST-44 complex (lineage III), ST-32 complex (ET-5 complex), ST-11 complex (ET-37 complex), and the ST-1 complex (subgroup I/II) which have all been responsible for major epidemics worldwide. These findings have direct implications on public health decision, particularly with regards to the development of effective intervention and control strategies, and emphasize the need for continuous long-term monitoring of the circulation of these strains in the population.

This thesis addresses the genetic characterisation of livestock breeds, a key aspect of the long-term future breed preservation and, thus, of primary interest for animal breeders and management in the industry. First, the genetic diversity and structure of breeds were investigated. The application of individual-based population genetic approaches at characterising genetic structure was assessed using the British pig breeds. All approaches, except for Principle Component Analysis (PCA), found that the breeds were distinct genetic populations. Bayesian genotypic clustering tools agreed that breeds had little individual genetic admixture. However, inconsistent results were observed between the Bayesian methods. Primarily, BAPS detected finer genetic differentiation than other approaches, producing biologically credible genetic populations. BAPS also detected substructure in the British Meishan, consistent with prior known population information. In contrast, STRUCTURE detected substructure in the British Saddleback breed that could not wholly be explained. Further analysis of the British Saddleback revealed that the genetic subdivision did not reflect its historical origin (union of Essex pig and Wessex Saddleback) but was associated with herds. The Rainbarrow appeared to be moderately differentiated from the other herds, and relatively lower allelic diversity and higher individual inbreeding, a possible result of certain breeding strategies. The genetic structure and diversity of the British traditional chicken breeds was also characterised. The breeds were found to be highly distinctive populations with moderately high levels of within-breed genetic diversity. However, majority of the breeds had an observed heterozygote deficit. Although individuals clustered to their origin for some of the breeds, genetic subdivision of individuals was observed in some breeds. For two breeds the inferred genetic subpopulations were associated with morphological varieties, but in others they were associated with flock supplier. As with the British Saddleback breed, gene flow between flocks within the chicken breeds should be enhanced to maintain current levels of genetic diversity. Second, the thesis focused on breed identification through the assignment of individuals to breed origin. Dense genome-wide assays provide an opportunity to develop tailor-made panels for food authentication, especially for verifying traditional breed-labelled products. In European cattle breeds, the prior selection of informative markers produced higher correct individual identification than panels of randomly selected markers. Selecting breed informative markers was more powerful using delta (allele frequency difference) and Wright's FST (allele frequency variation), than PCA. However, no further gain in power of assignment was achieved by sampling in excess of 200 markers. The power of assignment and number of markers required was dependent on the levels of breed genetic distinctiveness. Use of dense genome-wide assays and marker selection was further assessed in the British pig breeds. With delta, it was found that 96 informative SNP markers were sufficient for breed differentiation, with the exception of Landrace and Welsh pair. Assignment of individuals to breed origin was high and few individuals were falsely assigned, especially for the traditional breeds. The probability that a sample of a presumed origin actually originated from that breed was high in the traditional breeds. Validation of the 96-SNP panel using independent test samples of known origin and market samples revealed a high level of breed label conformity.

Brassica napus L. is an economically important oilseed species cultivated across Western Canada. Hybrid B. napus cultivars compose the majority of the market due to their seed yield and agronomic quality. It is important to attempt to predict high-yielding parental combinations in order to conserve resources during experimental hybrid evaluation. Genetic distance between parents has been implicated in producing high-yielding hybrids and is used as one criteria for determining parental combinations.In the current study, the genetic distance between high erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR) genotypes of B. napus was established using both phenotypic and genotypic criteria. Phenotypic criteria took the form of nine agronomic and seed quality traits gathered from 318 distinct B. napus genotypes over the 2013 and 2014 field seasons in Southern Manitoba. Genotypic criteria took the form of either 291,782 SNP markers identified in 231 distinct B. napus genotypes using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) or 230 polymorphic sequence-related amplified polymoprhism (SRAP) markers identified in 160 B. napus genotypes. The genetic distance between available pollinators and a single male-sterile female was established using each set of criteria in an attempt to correlate genetic distance with hybrid yield. Regression analysis was conducted with yield data from hybrid genotypes gathered from 37 field sites from 2011-2014. Using the phenotypic-derived genetic distance, a significant correlation between genetic distance and hybrid yield was uncovered explaining either 22 % or 42 % of the variation in hybrid yield depending upon whether hybrids were grown at three or more, or five or more sites in the analysis, respectively. No significant link was found between GBS or SRAP-derived genetic distance and hybrid yield. These results provide evidence that that phenotypic criteria can be used to establish genetic distance with utility in the selection of high-yielding hybrid genotypes. / February 2017

Cryptosporidium é um coccídeo que acomete peixes, répteis, anfíbios, aves e mamíferos. O papel dos animais na dinâmica de transmissão deste agente ao homem é pouco conhecido e a ocorrência na população animal é motivo de preocupação para a saúde pública, devido ao potencial zoonótico. O objetivo deste estudo foi obter informações de natureza epidemiológica pela caracterização genotípica de isolados de gatos, cães e bovinos do Estado de São Paulo e avaliar a diversidade nucleotídica das seqüências obtidas. Foi realizada a extração de DNA dos oocistos e a amplificação destes pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (Nested PCR) utilizando primers específicos para a amplificação de fragmentos do gene codificador da subunidade 18S do RNA ribossômico e posterior sequenciamento. Através do exame de fezes de 106 amostras de felinos, 119 de caninos e 123 de bovinos foi observada positividade em três (2,8%), 15 (12,6%) e 21 (17,1%), respectivamente. Nas amostras positivas de bovinos a análise morfológica revelou 16 (76,2%) como Cryptosporidium tipo parvum e cinco (23,8%) como Cryptosporidium andersoni. Para a análise genotípica amostras anteriormente obtidas, foram associadas, sendo analisadas sete amostras de gatos, nove de cães e nove de bovinos. Das sete amostras de gatos a análise genotípica revelou, em todas, Cryptosporidium felis, sendo estas as primeiras caracterizações genotípicas de isolados de felinos domésticos no Brasil. Nas nove amostras de cães seqüenciadas revelou-se identidade genotípica compatível com Cryptosporidium canis em todas as amostras, sugerindo que esta espécie está conservada no Estado de São Paulo. A análise genotípica das amostras de bovinos revelou Cryptosporidium parvum Eire I em duas amostras, Cryptosporidium parvum genótipo bovino em seis amostras e Cryptosporidium bovis em outra amostra sendo, esta última espécie, não zoonótica, e não relacionada a sintomas clínicos e sendo descrita pela primeira vez no Brasil. / Cryptosporidium is a coccidia which contaminates fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. The animals role in the transmission dynamics of this protozoa to man is not well known and its occurrence in the animal population is a cause for concern to public health due to its zoonotic potential. The objective of this study was to obtain information of epidemiological nature by genotypic characterization of isolates from dogs, cats and bovine from the State of São Paulo and to evaluate nucleotidic diversity of the existing sequences. The extraction of DNA from oocysts was carried out and the amplification was made by the polymerase chain reaction (Nested PCR) using specific primers for the amplification of fragments from the code gene of subunit 18S of ribosomal RNA and post sequencing. Through a feces examination, in 106 cat samples, 119 dog samples and 123 bovine samples, positivity was observed in three (2.8%), 15 (12.6%) and 21 (17.1%), respectively. In the positive bovine samples the morphologic analysis revealed 16 (76.2%) as Cryptosporidium type parvum and five (23.8%) as Cryptosporidium andersoni. For the purpose of genotypic analyses, previously obtained samples, were associated, with analyses of seven cat samples, nine dog samples and nine bovine samples. From the seven cat samples the genotypic analyses, revealed Cryptosporidium felis in all. These were the first genotypic characterizations of Cryptosporidium from domestic felines in Brazil. In nine sequenced samples from dogs, genotypic identities compatible with Cryptosporidium canis, were revealed in all samples, suggesting that this species is conserved in State of São Paulo. The genotypic analysis in bovines revealed Cryptosporidium parvum Eire I in two samples, Cryptosporidium parvum bovine genotype in six samples and Cryptosporidium bovis in another sample, the last one being a non zoonotic species, not related to clinical symptoms and described for the first time in Brazil.

Amebas de vida livre (AVL) são distribuídas mundialmente no solo e na água. Um número pequeno delas é considerado importante para a saúde dos seres humanos: Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris e Sappinia diploidea. Algumas das infecções são oportunistas, ocorrendo em indivíduos imunocomprometidos, enquanto outras são não oportunistas. Amostras de água foram coletadas de banheira de hidromassagens e piscinas térmicas na cidade de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, com o objetivo de determinar a presença de Acanthamoeba, bem como realizar a caracterização fenotípica e genotípica dos isolados. Amebas foram isoladas em cultivo monoxênico com Escherichia coli. A identificação dos isolados foi baseada na morfologia dos cistos e na amplificação por PCR com oligonucleotídeos gênero-específico. De 72 amostras analisadas, 20 (27,77%) foram positivas para amebas de vida livre, e identificadas morfologicamente como pertencentes ao gênero Acanthamoeba. Destas, 11 possuíam características compatíveis com o grupo morfológico II e 9 com o grupo III. Entre os isolados, 11(55%) foram considerados potencialmente patogênicos a partir de testes de osmotolerância e termotolerância. Somente 9 isolados quando submetidos à Reação da PCR, confirmaram pertencer ao gênero Acanthamoeba. A análise do sequenciamento através da comparação das sequências dispostas no GenBank, demonstrou a distribuição nos grupos genotípicos T3 (11,1%), T5 (11,1%), T4 (33,3%) e T15 (44,4%).Os resultados obtidos com este confirmam a presença de isolados potencialmente patogênicos que podem representar um risco à saúde humana nos ambientes de banheiras de hidromassagem e piscinas térmicas. / Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed in soil and water. A few number of them are implicated in human disease: Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris and Sappinia diploidea. Some of the infections were opportunistic, occurring mainly in immunocompromised hosts, while others are non opportunistic. Water samples were collecyed from both hot tubs and thermal swimming pools in the city of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, to determine the presence of Acanthamoeba in the water as well as perform the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the isolates. Amoebae were isolated in monoxenic culture with Eschererichia coli. The identification of the isolates was based on the cysts morphology and PCR amplification using genus-specific oligonucleotides. From 72 samples analyzed, 20 (27,77%) were positive for free-living amoebae, and the isolates were morphologically identified as belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba. Out of these, 11 presented morphological characteristics compatible with group II, and 9 with group III. Among the isolates, 11 (55%) were considered potentially pathogenic according to osmotolerance and temperature assays. The isolates when submitted to PCR reaction only 9 were confirmed as belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba. The sequences analysis when compare to the sequences in the GenBank, showed that genotype distribution in group T3 (11,1%), T5 (11,1%), T4 (33,3%) and T15 (44,4%). The results of this study confirmed the presence of potentially pathogenic isolates of free living amoebae in hot swimming pool and spas which can present risks to human health.

Introdução - Vibrio metschnikovii é um bacilo gram-negativo, potencialmente patogênico, amplamente distribuído e isolado de ecossistemas aquáticos e raramente de amostras clínicas de humanos. Na triagem laboratorial para espécies do gênero Vibrio, Vibrio metschnikovii é descartado por ser oxidase negativa, característica que o diferencia das demais espécies patogênicas. Em relação à pesquisa do perfil de suscetibilidade a antibióticos, esta é pouco realizada com isolados de origem ambiental. Objetivos - Isolar e identificar genotipicamente Vibrio metschnikovii de amostras ambientais e caracterizar seu perfil de suscetibilidade a antibióticos. Métodos - Um total de dez amostras foram obtidas de Março a Agosto de 2009, sendo uma de molusco (vôngole), três de peixe (pescada, sardinha e tainha) e seis de esgoto (três de esgoto bruto e três de esgoto tratado). O isolamento foi inicialmente realizado em meio seletivo para Vibrio (ágar TCBS) e a confirmação da espécie foi feita com iniciadores específicos através da PCR utilizando o DNA extraído pela técnica de choque térmico. O antibiograma foi realizado com base no documento M45-A CLSI 2006, seguindo a técnica de disco difusão, empregando quinze antibióticos. Foi realizada a pesquisa de genes de resistência a beta-lactâmicos e aminoglicosídeos. Resultados - De 123 isolados com características típicas para a espécie, 70 foram confirmados como Vibrio metschnikovii através da PCR, sendo 43 de amostras de molusco e peixes e 27 de esgoto. Um total de 66 isolados foi resistente a pelo menos um antibiótico, mas nenhum gene de resistência foi detectado. Conclusões - Os resultados indicam que Vibrio metschnikovii pode ser isolado de diferentes amostras de origem ambiental, demonstrando que esses microrganismos podem ter distribuição mais ampla que o descrito na literatura. A PCR foi uma ferramenta fundamental para superar a fragilidade da identificação da espécie segundo o método fenotípico. Além disso, a resistência observada mostra que Vibrio metschnikovii pode atuar como um reservatório de genes de resistência que podem ser facilmente transferidos entre microrganismos em um mesmo ambiente. O perfil de suscetibilidade a antibióticos pode ser utilizado como referência na caracterização clínica deste patógeno em potencial, auxiliando na conduta terapêutica em casos de ocorrência de doentes acometidos pelo microrganismo em questão / Introduction - Vibrio metschnikovii is a gram-negative bacillus, potentially pathogenic, widely distributed and isolated from aquatic ecosystems and rarely from human clinical samples. At laboratorial screening for the species of the Vibrio genus, Vibrio metschnikovii is discarded for being oxidase negative, characteristic that differentiates it from the others pathogenic species. With regard to the research of antibiotic susceptibility profile, this is seldom done with environmental isolates. Objectives - To isolate and genotypically identify Vibrio metschnikovii from environmental samples and characterize the antibiotic susceptibility profile. Method - A total of ten samples were obtained from March to August 2009, with one of them originated from mussel (vongole), tree of fish (whitefish, sardine and mullet) and six from sewage (three from raw sewage and three from treated sewage). The isolation was initially performed in a selective medium for Vibrio (TCBS agar) and the specie confirmation was done with specific primers through PCR using DNA extracted by the thermal shock technique. The antibiogram was performed according to the document M45-A from CLSI 2006, following the technique of disk diffusion, using fifteen antibiotics. The research for beta-lactams and aminoglycosides resistance genes was also performed. Results Seventy out of 123 isolates, with typical characteristics for the specie, were confirmed as Vibrio metschnikovii by PCR, with 43 originated from mussel and fish and 27 from sewage. A total of 66 isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, however no resistance gene was detected. Conclusions The results indicate that Vibrio metschnikovii can be isolated from different samples of ambient origin, demonstrating that these microorganisms can have wider distribution than the described in literature. The PCR was a fundamental tool to overcome the fragility of the specie identification according to the phenotypic method. Furthermore, the resistance found shows that Vibrio metschnikovii can act as a reservoir of resistance genes that can easily be transferred between microorganisms in the same environment. The antibiotic susceptibility profile can be used as reference at the clinical characterization of this potential pathogen, assisting therapeutic management in cases of patients affected by this microorganism

Introdução - Vibrio metschnikovii é um bacilo gram-negativo, potencialmente patogênico, amplamente distribuído e isolado de ecossistemas aquáticos e raramente de amostras clínicas de humanos. Na triagem laboratorial para espécies do gênero Vibrio, Vibrio metschnikovii é descartado por ser oxidase negativa, característica que o diferencia das demais espécies patogênicas. Em relação à pesquisa do perfil de suscetibilidade a antibióticos, esta é pouco realizada com isolados de origem ambiental. Objetivos - Isolar e identificar genotipicamente Vibrio metschnikovii de amostras ambientais e caracterizar seu perfil de suscetibilidade a antibióticos. Métodos - Um total de dez amostras foram obtidas de Março a Agosto de 2009, sendo uma de molusco (vôngole), três de peixe (pescada, sardinha e tainha) e seis de esgoto (três de esgoto bruto e três de esgoto tratado). O isolamento foi inicialmente realizado em meio seletivo para Vibrio (ágar TCBS) e a confirmação da espécie foi feita com iniciadores específicos através da PCR utilizando o DNA extraído pela técnica de choque térmico. O antibiograma foi realizado com base no documento M45-A CLSI 2006, seguindo a técnica de disco difusão, empregando quinze antibióticos. Foi realizada a pesquisa de genes de resistência a beta-lactâmicos e aminoglicosídeos. Resultados - De 123 isolados com características típicas para a espécie, 70 foram confirmados como Vibrio metschnikovii através da PCR, sendo 43 de amostras de molusco e peixes e 27 de esgoto. Um total de 66 isolados foi resistente a pelo menos um antibiótico, mas nenhum gene de resistência foi detectado. Conclusões - Os resultados indicam que Vibrio metschnikovii pode ser isolado de diferentes amostras de origem ambiental, demonstrando que esses microrganismos podem ter distribuição mais ampla que o descrito na literatura. A PCR foi uma ferramenta fundamental para superar a fragilidade da identificação da espécie segundo o método fenotípico. Além disso, a resistência observada mostra que Vibrio metschnikovii pode atuar como um reservatório de genes de resistência que podem ser facilmente transferidos entre microrganismos em um mesmo ambiente. O perfil de suscetibilidade a antibióticos pode ser utilizado como referência na caracterização clínica deste patógeno em potencial, auxiliando na conduta terapêutica em casos de ocorrência de doentes acometidos pelo microrganismo em questão / Introduction - Vibrio metschnikovii is a gram-negative bacillus, potentially pathogenic, widely distributed and isolated from aquatic ecosystems and rarely from human clinical samples. At laboratorial screening for the species of the Vibrio genus, Vibrio metschnikovii is discarded for being oxidase negative, characteristic that differentiates it from the others pathogenic species. With regard to the research of antibiotic susceptibility profile, this is seldom done with environmental isolates. Objectives - To isolate and genotypically identify Vibrio metschnikovii from environmental samples and characterize the antibiotic susceptibility profile. Method - A total of ten samples were obtained from March to August 2009, with one of them originated from mussel (vongole), tree of fish (whitefish, sardine and mullet) and six from sewage (three from raw sewage and three from treated sewage). The isolation was initially performed in a selective medium for Vibrio (TCBS agar) and the specie confirmation was done with specific primers through PCR using DNA extracted by the thermal shock technique. The antibiogram was performed according to the document M45-A from CLSI 2006, following the technique of disk diffusion, using fifteen antibiotics. The research for beta-lactams and aminoglycosides resistance genes was also performed. Results Seventy out of 123 isolates, with typical characteristics for the specie, were confirmed as Vibrio metschnikovii by PCR, with 43 originated from mussel and fish and 27 from sewage. A total of 66 isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, however no resistance gene was detected. Conclusions The results indicate that Vibrio metschnikovii can be isolated from different samples of ambient origin, demonstrating that these microorganisms can have wider distribution than the described in literature. The PCR was a fundamental tool to overcome the fragility of the specie identification according to the phenotypic method. Furthermore, the resistance found shows that Vibrio metschnikovii can act as a reservoir of resistance genes that can easily be transferred between microorganisms in the same environment. The antibiotic susceptibility profile can be used as reference at the clinical characterization of this potential pathogen, assisting therapeutic management in cases of patients affected by this microorganism